Orthopedic table



Feb. 18, 1930.

F. L. KNOWLES ORTHOPEDIC TABLE Filed May 8, 1925 2l Sheets-Sheet -1 @j Il Feb. 1s, 1930. F, L. KNOWLES 1,747,174

ORTHOPEDI Cl TABLE Filed May 8. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 18,1930 PATENT FFICE FRED L. KNowDEs, orI roar DODGE, IowA ORTHOPEDIC TABLEApplication filed May 8,

The invention relates to orthopedic tables.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved table which isadapted to hold the patient while X-ray photographs are being taken andwhich is adapted to serve also to hold the patient for other work, suchas the setting of fractures, without removing the patient from thetable, thus avoiding the necessitay of removing or disturbing thepatient.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table topwhich is provided atone end with a mast and adjustable straps forsupporting the'body and in which the table-top is slidable back andforth so that the body of the patient will be free for the applicationof a body jacket and so that the table top may be slipped back under apatient after the jacket has been applied to make it unnecessary to liftthe patient. Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedtable which has a top frame that may be swung into vertical position sothe jury mast may be used to obtain vertical extension in theapplication of a body jacket or cast.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table whichhas a movable top, extensible supports for holding and extending thefeet and in which the jury mast is utilized in supporting the hips.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detaileddescription.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.l

In the drawings: Fig. 1 vis a longitudinal section of a table embodyingthe invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, showing the table in positionfor use in the application of body jackets or casts. Fig. 8 is a sideelevation, showing the part in position for holding and extending thefeet with the hip supported on the jury mast. Fig. 4L is a perspectiveof the table top. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the swinging table-frame.

The-invention is exemplified in a supporting structure comprising a pairof A-frames 10, which are spaced apart and iixedly secured together inspaced relation by cross- 1925. Serial No. 28,761.

rods or tubes 11'. The legs of these frames are provided with casters12, so that the structure may be wheeled about and serve as a cart, aswell as a table. A pair of supplemental legs 18, fixed to a cross-bar14, which extends between, and is pivoted in, the frames 10, areprovided with rubber feet 15 When the legs 13 are swung into theposition indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l, and against the adja centcross tube 11, the structure will be stationarily held on the floor,which is desirable when the table is in use.

A rectangular top frame, preferably made of pipe and pipe fittings,comprises side members 16 and end members 17 and 18. r1`hese 'membersare rigidly connected by elbows 19 between end 17 and side members 16,and T-iittings 2O between end member 18 and the side members. Said sidemembers eX- tend through sleeves 2l respectively, which are providedwith pivots held in fittings 22 at the upper ends'of the A-frames,respectively. Set nuts 23 are threaded to and eX- tend through sleeves21, to secure the top frame against longitudinal movement in thesupporting structure, when desired. A pair of braces 24 have their lowerends pivoted, at 25, to the A-frames respectively, and each is providedat its upper end with a pair oi holes 26, `27. Set screws 28 are adaptedto pass through the holes 26 to secure the braces to the frame sides 16.A pair of braces 29, having their lower ends pivoted to the A- frames at30, have their upper ends pivoted, at 31, to sleeve brackets 32, whichare slidable on the frame-side 16 and are adapted to be secured thereonby set-screws 33, which are threaded to the brackets 32, and are adaptedto clamp said sides and sleeves together. These braces are adapted tosecure the pivoted top-frame against vertical movement in the supportingstructure. When the top frame is to be secured in vertical position, forexample, when it is desired to obtain vertical extension in theapplication of a body jacket or cast', the set screws 23 are released topermit the frame sides 16 to slide in sleeves 21, so the frame may beswung into vertical position, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Whenthe top frame has been so shifted, it may be secured in its desiredposition against vertical movement, and against longitudinal movement,by tightening the screws 23, and against pivotal movement by tighteningscrews 33, so the braces 29 will be effective to hold the frame.

A table-top 35, which is preferably formed of aluminum, is adapted tooverlie and be suported by the adjustable top frame, so that 1 -rayphotographs may be taken through the top and luoroscopic work done whilethe patient islying on the top. The top is completely removable from thetop frame, being provided with handles 36, for convenience in moving it..It is also slidable longitudinally on the top frame, so that portionsof the body of the patient may be supported, while other portions remainunsupported by the top, to provide complete access to the unsupportedportions. The removable table top fits between the upper ends of braces24 and between brackets 32, to prevent its transverse displacement fromthe top frame. When the table top 25 is positioned over the top frame,one end thereof projects beyond and overhangs one end of the top frame.The overlying end of the table top may be held down on the top frame bya cross-bar 37, which extends over the table top and is removably heldin slots 38 in the brackets 32.

A cross fitting 40 is mounted on the end member 18 of the top frame, andthis fitting is adapted to support a jury mast 41, which is removablysecured in the fitting by a screwthread, which permits the removal ofthe mast when its use is not desired. A set screw 42 is adapted tosecure the fitting 40 in desired position on member 18. A supportingstrap 43 of any suitable character, and for supporting the head or otherportion of the body, has its ends connected to stirrups 44, isadjustably supported from the mast 41 by means of pulley blocks 45, 46and a cable 47. The upper f pulley block 46 is pivotally secured to theupper end of the mast by a ring 43 and the stirrups 44 are connected tothe pulley block 45 by means of an eye 49, through which the bar,forming the stirrups, extends.

ln some operations, it is desirable to hold and extend the feet of thepatients, and for this purpose a rod 50 is adapted to slide in either ofthe side members 16 of the top frame, and an arm 51 is ixed to the outerend of said rod. A set screw 52, in fitting 20, is adapted to secure therod against longitudinal and rotative movement, when the arm has beenadjusted into its desired position. VIf desired, a leg support of thischaracter may be inserted in each of the side members 16.

lhen the table top 35 is in position shown in Fig. 1, and a patient hasbeen placed thereon, X-ray photographs may be taken of any part of thepatient and fluoroscopic work done, without in any way disturbing thepatient, because the X-ray easily passes through the aluminum. This isof especial advantage in fracture cases, because the setting offractures can be done directly following the taking of the photograph,without removing the patient from the table. Vhen it is desired to applya body jacket, the table top is shifted longitudinally over the topframe, so as to leave suflicient clearance between one end of the tableand the jury mast for access to the body of the patient, as shown inFig. 2. With the table top in this position, the lower limbs of thepatient are supported on the table top and the head is supported by thestrap 43, which may be drawn into correct position by adjusting thestrap by means of the cable and ulley blocks supported from the mast 41.Vhen the patient is supported, as indicated in Fig. 2, a body jacket orcast may be readily applied to the patient, because all portions thereofare then accessible for that purpose. VvThen the table top is in thisposition, the cross bar 37, 'which extends across the top of the table,will be locked in slots 38 to hold the table top on the top frame. Whenit is desired to perform work on the lower limbs of the patient, or tohold and extend the feet, the rod 50, which carries the arm 51, will beadjustable longitudinally and rotatively to bring the arm into desiredposition, and the foot of the patient will be bandaged or strappedthereto. By tightening the set screw 52, the arm may be iiXed in itsassigned position. If, while performing work on the lower limbs of thepatient, it is desirable to provide greater clearance between said limbsand the top frame, and clearance between the foot support and the tabletop, set screws 28 will be extended through the openings 27 and into thetable top, and the braces swung into position indicated kin Fig. 3, sothat the remote end of the table top will rest upon the top frame andthe other end will be supported by the braces 24, as indicated in Fig.3. In this position, the table top will be adapted to support the bodyof the patient, the foot will be supported 0r extended by the supportingarm 51, and the lower limbs will be completely accessiblefor operativework, if desired. If, while the table is thus used, it is desired tosupport the hip of the patient, a suitable support 53 may be slid uponthe jury mast and used for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 3.

When it is desired to produce vertical eX- tension of the body for theapplication of a body jacket or cast, the table top is removed andbraces 24 are disconnected at screws 28 from the top frame. When the setscrews 23 are released, the top frame will be slidable in and pivotallymovable with sleeve pivots 21, to bring it into the vertical positionindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. It may be locked in such positionby tightening the set screws 33, so that the braces 29 will be effectiveto secure the top frame against pivotal movement in its verticalposition, and the set screws 23 are tightened to secure said frameagainst sliding movement in said pivoted sleeves. When the top frame isin vertical position, the ury mast will project therefrom, so that ahead strap may be connected to the stirrups 44 and the pulley blocks 45,46 and cable 47. By manipulation of the cable 47, the strap may beadjusted to eiect the vertical extension desired. In this position, thebody will also be free for the convenient application of a body jacketor cast.

The invention exempliies an improved orthopedic table, with a top whichis placeable on and removable from the top frame, so that X-rayphotographs may be taken through the top and luoroscopic work done whilethe patient is on the top, so that when desirable, orthopedic work maybe done directly following the taking of the photographs, without movingthe patient; also one in which the table top is slidable, so the tablemay be conveniently used to support a patient for the convenientapplication of body jackets and casts; also one in which the top framecan be swung into vertical position to procure vertical extension of thebody in the application of a body jacket or cast; and also one in whichthe tabletop is adjustable, and in which there is provided a footsupport, so that the patient may be properly supported for orthopedicwork on the lower limbs; also one in which the table top, which isadapted to X-ray work, is wheeled so that it may serve as a. cart fortransporting the patient from place to place.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described, the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a table of the character described, the combination of asupporting structure, a rectangular top frame comprising side and endmembers and pivotally connected to the structure so it may be swung fromhorizontal to vertical position, a slidable connection between thestructure and the side members of the fra-me for permitting the latterto be shifted longitudinally, and a mast mounted on one of the endmembers of the frame and provided with adjustable means for suspending ahuman body.

2. In a. table of the character described,

the combination of a supporting structure, a. top frame pivotallyconnected to the structure, so it may be swung from horizontal tovertical position, means for securing the frame, a holder-supportingmast on one end of said top frame, a top slidable over said frame to andfrom the mast, and means for holding the top when it is extended toproject over the other end of the frame.

Signed at Fort Dodge, Iowa, this 29th day of April, 1925.

FRED L. KNOWLES.

